How Young Is Too Young?

[Siobhra]

Originally Posted by Poonie

I took my sons to the range when they were 3 and 4, just to get them used to the noise, etc. I would stand back with them by the truck. After a few trips like that, I gradually moved closer. They started shooting the .22 not long after that. Now when we go its like they've grown up there. I see adults flinch at the sound of gunfire that my kids don't bat an eyelash at. Its just like playing ball, gotta start them early.

That is something I didn't think about before. Get them use to the sound look before you let them shoot.

My six year old grandson is not ready. However his 4 year old brother is.

[Wynder]

The "Age of Reason" is 7... that's when children are mentally developed enough to truly understand right from wrong. From and around there, it's really going to be your judgment -- there are some 7 year-old girls who are very responsible but there are some 9 year-old boys who just want to see how fast they can throw lead down the range.

My oldest daughter is 5 -- shortly, I'm going to start teaching her the rules of safe gun handling and what to do if she sees a gun when she's out playing (e.g. Eddie Eagle program). In a couple of years, I might take her to my club and try the youth .22 rifle program they have there.

That being said, some people will start earlier, some will start later -- I'm using 7 as a good benchmark to see where to go from there.

[shefearsnothing]

My son and step daughter are both 9 and just started with a .22 cricket rifle. Now our 5 year old is just dying to learn how to shoot but I think our club restricts them to 8 before they can start there. I would have to check but I'm pretty sure that's the starting age. She needs to mature a little more before we hand her a gun anyway. She's pretty nuts. My son recently got to shoot a .22 pistol also...it was someone else's and we'd like to get one for the two older kids to shoot regularly if they want. Maybe we'll make that a Christmas present this year....

[jud4420]

Originally Posted by lildobe

I see all these specific, arbitrary ages mentioned in this thread so far - and I have to disagree with all of them.

The age to start your child shooting cannot be pinned down to a single number. Rather, it should be based on Two things.

1) Mental maturity - i.e. can he/she understand the safety rules and WHY they are needed? Can they remember them and keep their mind focused on what they are doing. while handling a dangerous weapon.

and 2) Physical Ability. Are they physically able to handle the weapon safely.

Only you as a parent can tell if your child is ready based on these factors. No arbitrary age is a "magical" one that will suddenly give your child the ability to handle a firearm.

I agree here. Theres no automatic age or even age range. This decision should be based solely on knowledge of the child in question.

[eells]

obviously it will depend on the maturity of the child. id say its never to young to take them to the range just to get them used to it, maybe give them a .22 or something small to try out, if they like it, move up slowly. i dont think it would be good to give them their own gun til they get much older, and im not gonna give them anything with a full clip, just a round or two. teach them safety, how the guns work, basics like that

[stinkymcdoober]

Originally Posted by Pierce8468

Of course saftey is #1 when it comes to guns stink. If you feel she is mature enough to handle the firearm, let her pick one out get it for her. then begin with the safety course from you and Knighthawk. Dont let her go to the range and shoot it until she has passed your safety course.

My daughter was not allowed to even touch a bullet. untill she could safely release the cocked hammer 50 times in a row with out letting it fall once. when she did release it too quicky and allow it to fall. I said you just killed somebody. it may sound harsh to tell an 11 yr old child that, but it instilled in her the dangers of firearms.

I think this is pretty dead on as to what i was thinking., I really appreciate everyone's input, it's been really helpful thus far. I don't think saying anything like that is harsh at all, i feel like that's the only way she is going to truly realize the lethality of what she's doing. Knighthawk has always been better at teaching her the "mechanics" of guns, taking them apart, puttingthem together, general workings. I kinda filled in with the "this is how it feels, what's going to happen" sorta thing.

[Shawn.L]

Originally Posted by stinkymcdoober

I hope this thread is in the right place, sorry if it's not. After many discussions on here, it seems many members have kids, and I'm curious as to the general consensus. How young is too young to get your child(ren) out shooting? What has everyone else done? How old? What types of guns did you start with? Did you find any setbacks with possibly starting "too early"? Just curious, thanks all!

great thread we had on the topic last year:
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/question-...guns-kids.html

my son shooting his first CMP just after turning 11.
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/general-2...first-cmp.html

there is no magic age. Each child is different, as is each parent and the relationship between them. Parenting is usually about making judgment calls without the easy yes/no automatic ansewrs of set decisions.

[stinkymcdoober]

Just got done reading that old thread about this similar topic. Everyone has such great ideas, it's awesome. :-)

[1blindref]

Originally Posted by Shawn.L

there is no magic age. Each child is different, as is each parent and the relationship between them. Parenting is usually about making judgment calls without the easy yes/no automatic answers of set decisions.

Well said.

[ChamberedRound]

Originally Posted by Pierce8468

I think the age soley depends on the child. Some children maybe mature enough at 6 where other not untill 12, then others well just never.

Agreed. Some children are ready sooner than others. It all depends on whether or not they are mature and responsible enough to treat the weapon with respect. Some children recognize that sooner than others.

Originally Posted by Shawn.L

there is no magic age. Each child is different, as is each parent and the relationship between them. Parenting is usually about making judgment calls without the easy yes/no automatic ansewrs of set decisions.

Again, agreed.